Folding horn.



PATENTED APR. 16, 1907.

0. KRAUS. FULDING HORN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12. 1906.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

SIM/U c 11 ['0 a PATENTED APR. 16, 1907.

0. KRAUS.

FOLDING HORN.

APPLICATION FILED ov. 1

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wuc n l'oc OTTO KRAUS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING HORN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 16, 1907.

Application filed November 12, 1906. Serial No. 342,960-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO KRAUS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Horns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved amplifying-horns for phonograph or similar instruments and all other sound-distributing devices, and has for its main object to provide a horn of a peculiarly novel and simple construction which may be folded when not in use to occupy a small space for convenient transportation or storage.

The construction of the device is such that the horn may be instantly folded by the pulling of a cord or expanded for use by the release of said cord.

There are other important features in connection with this invention, which, besides those alluded to, are clearly set forth in the subsequent detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the horn, showing same in its open or expanded position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the horn when expanded, showing the reduced and conical-shaped portion disconnected from the collapsible part of the horn. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the horn when folded. v Fig. 4 is a'longitudinal section showing the connecting device of the two main sections of the horn on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a modification showing how the flexible fabric of the horn may be fastened to the metallic sleeve. Fig. 6 is a detailed view showing part of a spring and its eyelet with the fabric and the cord in section. Fig. 7 is a detailed and partial sectional view of the parts described in Fig. 6.

A represents the body of the horn, which is preferably made of cloth, silk, leather, or other flexible material, and is fastened at its narrow end to the elastic portion B, Fig. 4, which in turn is held to sleeve C with rivets D. The large end of horn-body A is securely held between portions of springs E with rivets F, Figs. 6 and 7. These springs are tapered and form at their narrow ends eyes or loopsG, in which are inserted eyelets H for facllitating the smooth travel of cord I.

The wider ends of springs E are riveted to the metal sleeve C, the opening of .which is l instrument.

reduced by forming the metal into a curl J, as shown clearly in Fig. 4. The conical metal portion K with its curled end L coacts with curl J on sleeve C. v

The springs M with their tendency to force curls L and J together complete the locking device, which makes a snug and convenient connection between the sleeve 0 and the portion K. The metal springs M are, secured with rivets m and have a tendency to spring away from portion K. Slots 7c form guides and means for permitting springs M to be depressed until portion K may be slipped through sleeve C for removal of portion The springs E are of considerable stiffness and have a tendency to hold the body A in an expanded or open position. The cord I passes through all the eyelets on springs E, going around the outer surface of body A.

The ring N, Fig. 1, serves to support the horn when in use with a phonograph or like In the modification Fig. 5 the elastic or rubber portion B instead of being fastened to the sleeve C with rivets has an enlarged or thickened end portion 0, which is held securely after pressing the flange C in position.

In manipulating this novel folding horn it will be readily seen that the springs E will expand the body A, holding the fabric smooth and rigid between them. The elastic or rubber portion B will help to stretch the fabric longitudinally, thus causing the fabric to lie smooth in all directions. I

When it is desired to fold the horn, the springs M are pressed inwardly and the portion K removed and placed in a reversed position, as shown in Fig. 3. Then cord I is pulled, causing springs E to close in and fold the body A. Winding the cord I several times about the body A will prevent any accidental reopening of the springs.

It will be noted that the normal tendency of the springs E is to assume such outward position as will serve to bring and maintain the material of the horn-body A to the extreme limit of its expanding capacity. This not only conduces to a smooth and unobstructed interior surface for said body, but

will operate to take up any looseness of the IOC fabric that might be occasioned by stretching or other cause. The arrangement of the contracting means contiguous to the mouth of the horn-body not only results in great sim- .plicity in the construction, but also contributes to convenience of operation and the erally.

I do not wish to-be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and construction of parts shown and described, but reserve the right to all modifications within the scope of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A folding horn, comprising a plurality of springs, having normally an outwardlyexpanding tendency with relation to each other, a body of flexible fabric held to the ends of said springs, and means for forcing the ends of said springs inwardly.

2. A folding horn comprising a plurality of springs normally having an outwardlyex anding tendency with relation to each ot er, a body of fabric fastened to the springs, loops on said springs, for engaging a cord or flexible member, and an elastic portion secured to one end of said body.

3. A folding horn comprising a plurality of springs, secured to a sleeve and normally having an outwardly-expanding tendency with relation to each other, a body of fabric fastened to'the springs, an elastic member connected to the fabric, loops on said springs, and a flexible member engaging said loops.

4. A folding horn, comprising a plurality of springs, normally having an outwardlyexpanding tendency relative to each other, loops near the ends of said springs and contiguous to the horn-mouth, and a cord or flexible member within said loops.

5. Afolding horn, comprising a sleeve, a plurality of springs secured to said sleeve, and normally having an outwardly-expanding tendency with relation to each other, a conical portion in detachable relation to said sleeve, and a locking-spring to prevent the accidental disengagement of said conical portion. l 6. A foldinghorn, comprising a plurality of springs and contiguous to the hornmouth, vloops near the ends of said springs, eyelets in said loops, a cord passing through the eyelets, and a body of flexible fabric attached to said springs.

7. A folding horn, comprising a sleeve,a plurality of springs normally having an outwardly-expanding tendency relative to each other, loops on said springs, a cord, a body of fabric, and an elastic portion adapted to lie between said body of fabric and said sleeve.

8. A folding horn, comprising a sleeve, a plurality of springs secured to said sleeve and normally having an outwardly-ex anding tendency relative to each other, an( a conical portion adapted to lie within said sleeve in a reverse position.

9. A folding horn, comprising a plurality of springs and normally having an outwardlyexpanding tendency relative to each other, a body of flexible fabric connected to said springs and a conical portion adapted to lie within said body when the horn is in a folded condition.

10. A folding horn comprising a hornbody of flexible material, and means for normally expanding and holding expanded said body to the limit of its expanding capacity and means for contracting said body.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 10th day of November, A. D. 1906.

OTTO KRAUS.

Witnesses ALBERT MENDELsonN, MADALINE l/VIGKHILLER. 

